La Rioja Alta's Rioja Gran Reserva Bin 904 is only released in great years and the 2001 vintage was purchased in its original cases.

La Rioja Alta was established in 1890 (hence the name of their other Gran Reserva) in the town of Haro and comprises 450 hectares of vineyards predominantly planted with Tempranillo, as well as Graciano, Mazuelo and Garnacha.

The estate produces some of the finest Rioja on the market: complex and refined, yet intense and redolent of its terroir. La Rioja Alta uses American rather than French oak and the wood is cured for two years outdoors before being shaped and hammered into barrels at their own cooperage.

Reviews

"The 2001 Gran Reserva 904 will not be released for another 3 years. Dark ruby-colored with a garnet rim, it displays a lovely nose of Asian spices, incense, tobacco, balsamic, and blackberry. On the palate it has exceptional depth, layers of spicy black fruit, excellent ripeness, and an elegant personality.
"La Rioja Alta was founded in 1890 in Haro, the capital of Rioja Alta, in close proximity to Lopez de Heredia and Marques de Riscal. The Bodega’s wines are all blends, there are no single vineyard wines, and all of the wines are produced from estate-grown grapes. During my visit in May, 2010, I had the opportunity to taste verticals of 2 of La Rioja Alta’s wines, Vina Ardanza Reserva and Gran Reserva 904. Vina Ardanza’s wines are labeled Reserva with three exceptions. In what La Rioja Alta considers the greatest years (there have been three to date, 2001, 1973, and 1964) the wine is called Reserva Especial. There are usually four vintages a decade of La Rioja Alta’s Gran Reserva 904. It is made from a blend of Tempranillo and Graciano and aged for 5 years in barrel and 5 years in bottle prior to release." eRobertParker.com

"What we like about the business is that 'fine' doesn't just mean famous. The first growths and their ilk are here, but in company with some excellent, less well-known, sometimes very limited production wines and often at what seem very reasonable prices."

The Wine Gang, thewinegang.com

"The range is excellent and I don’t just mean that they go right to the very top. There’s something for everyone, whether you want mature first-growth Bordeaux or a little known gem from an estate that’s been in the same family for generations and which you’d be hard-pushed to find anywhere else other than at the cellar door. I’m always finding things I want to try on Cadman’s list."